Seems like a pretty simple statement but yet it holds true! Until Yao and Steve become CONSISTANT with nights where you can automatically count on each of them getting at least 17+ points a night on close to 50% shooting, double digit rebounds for Yao, close to 8 assists from Francis this team won't be able to get to the next level. The ROLE players will augment the team but until the STARS play more CONSISTANTLY this team can't compete on the next level for a championship. Steve/Yao have had a number of poor shooting nights. How many poor shooting nights do Kobe/McGrady/Duncan/Nowitzki/Garnett etc have? Exactly. You probably could count them on one hand, a 4 fingered Simpons hand if that! Chris
One game does not two seasons make; despite Rice's performance last night, he has been largely a bust for the Rockets. Move him to the coaching staff. Move SF to shooting guard and bring in a real playmaker that will play defense. Besides Ming, everyone else is tradable for a strong, rebounding, good passing, hot shooting small forward and a "ditto" power forward. If the Rockets stand pat (no changes) for next season they will go down as one of the dumbest underachieving teams in NBA history. The team as currently configured will not ever never no way in a million years "grow" into a champion. We need better shooters, better passers, better defenders, and, MOST OF ALL, more smarts. (Personally, I would trade EVERYONE except Ming, but that is obviously not going to happen)
Other than player "self improvement" on the players we have now, in terms of "adding" players to this roster I suggest: 1) Look for a consistant outside shooter/3pt shooter. Can be a role player brought off the bench. Just someone to be a factor in our second unit and stretch the defense opening up things for Yao. 2) A back up guard to spell Francis and Mobley. It is obvious that Moochie is not that guard and there is little confidence in his play. We need someone that can spark the second unit. Perhaps this person can be the same person as mentioned in (1) above but perhaps someone different. A "combo" guard with decent size to be able to play either the 1 or the 2 would be ideal. 3) A banger PF that can do the dirty work and gobble up rebounds and yet not be a total liability on offense. In other words, we COULD put Cato at PF to get the rebounds but he would be a liability on offense at PF for the type of system we run. Perhaps this is the position to find a "veteran" which I menion in my next paragraph. 4) It would be great if we could get another veteran on the team. That veteran could be from one of the types of players I mentioned above. This is especially important if this team is looking to trade Glen Rice this summer or next year to trade his 9M expiring contract. Rice's veteran leadership IS important on this team, especially for Yao and Francis since they look up to Rice. Francis and Yao will eventually be our leaders but they have to learn from their elders. Back to player "self improvement"...I think Eddie Griffin and Bostjan Nachbar's growth in the summer will be paramount. We need Nachbar in the rotation next year making contributions. We need Griffin averaging either a double/double or close to that (see Golden State's Troy Murphy). Eddie also needs to be around 45% FG shooting. Just a few of my thoughts
The Top 7 + Phoenix, the Grizz, maybe even (yes, I'm serious) the Clips will be as good or BETTER next year and the Rox need to get lots better to stay even. Or else. The Rox need a reliable shooter, combo guard, 4/5 banger. Maturity at the 4. And a newly redefined way to compete.
Off-season check-list..... #1....Get Yao Ming to the weight room and build up some upper body strength, so its not as easy to strip the ball away from him on rebounds and entry passes. #2...Teach Yao how to get position for offensive rebounds (Yetti could get his wish here..this is where Moses helped the Dream so much) #3...Bulk up EddieG..and, both he and Yao need to work on a post up game in the off season. #4...Get Boki and TiTo to the summer leagues and find out if they are ready to play in the NBA. #5 Get a healthy starting 5 to training camp..where they can work on the inside out game, entry passes, passing to the right man on the perimeter, attacking single teams and passing when doubled.....before the season starts. #6 Sign James Posey. The pieces are there, no need to disrupt the development of this outstanding collection of talent. NO TRADES NEEDED. The only way to build a team is to play together, plugging in newcomers just slows development.
